What date is Catholic Easter 2020

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Catholic Easter, like Orthodox, is traditionally included in the list of the largest church holidays. The date of the celebration is floating and is calculated depending on the day of the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Let's find out what date the Resurrection of Christ will be in 2020 for Catholics.

History of the Catholic holiday

The word "Passover" comes from the word "Pesach", which means "to pass by." The Pentateuch describes the history of the last Egyptian execution, when God defeated all the firstborn of Egypt because of Pharaoh's refusal to free the enslaved Jews.

And only the Jewish firstborn survived thanks to the fact that the Jews were ordered to smear the doorframes with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. As a result, the Angel of Death bypassed the Jewish houses.

After this terrible story, the Jews left Egypt, in connection with which the Passover holiday was established. Since the Son of God Jesus Christ was executed and then resurrected during the Passover period, Christians also began to celebrate it and call it Easter.

In the year 325, at the Council of Nicaea, a rule was established according to which all churches were to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on one day. The date was determined in accordance with the lunisolar calendar.

The rule was: Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday, on the day of the full moon, or the day after the vernal equinox (March 21). At the same time, the Catholic holiday should not coincide with the celebration of the Jewish Passover. If the numbers match, Catholics celebrate Bright Sunday only next month.

In the VI-VIII centuries. The Roman Church took over this Paschal. But after a millennium, Catholics and Christians began to calculate the date of the celebration according to different rules. This was explained by the discrepancies in the dates of the calendar and astronomical equinox. By the 16th century, this difference reached 10 days.

Therefore, Pope Gregory XIII introduced his own calendar, which became known as Gregorian. Patriarch Jeremiah II of Constantinople refused the Pope's proposal to accept a new Paschalia, and anathematized the Gregorian calendar.

Thus, the Orthodox and Catholic Churches began to calculate the date of the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ according to their own rules, therefore, Christians and Catholics celebrate it on different days.

What date will be Easter for Catholics

Determining on your own what date will be Catholic Easter in 2020 is quite simple. To do this, you do not need to delve into complex systems of calculations, it is enough just to know that the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first day of the full moon following the vernal equinox.

Thus, from the day of the vernal equinox (March 21), the first full moon occurs in April (on the 8th), which means that Catholic Easter in 2020 falls on April 12 (Sunday).

Traditions and rituals

Over the millennia of the holiday's existence, a number of traditions have been formed. The day begins with a visit to the temple. Services are held from Saturday. Priests sing songs praising Jesus Christ, read the Gospel and spend all their time in prayer.

Believers come to the service bringing with them treats for the consecration, including colored eggs and chocolate eggs. On this day, the Holy Fire is spread throughout the churches, which descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And already from this fire, the main candle is lit - Easter.

During the service, anyone can take with them a particle of the Holy Fire in order to keep it in a home lamp until next Easter.

At the end of the service, the believers perform a festive procession with the cross, which takes place around the temple, sing hymns praising the Lord and remember the sufferings of Jesus.

Catholics, like Orthodox Christians, have a custom to paint eggs for Easter. Moreover, for this, not only chicken eggs are used, but also any objects of a similar shape. They can be molded from wax, carved from wood, or made from plastic.

Another symbol of Catholic Easter is a rabbit figurine. It is assumed that it is this funny creature that brings gifts and Easter eggs.

Catholics give each other postcards depicting an animal, bake bunny-shaped rolls and decorate their homes with figures. On the day of the celebration, in the morning, children are looking for gifts, sweets and eggs hidden by the festive rabbit.

Since Easter for Catholics is a purely family celebration, in 2020 all relatives will traditionally gather at the festive table, for which the hostesses will prepare pastries, meat dishes and other goodies in advance.

Do's and don'ts for Easter 2020 with Catholics

I must say that Catholics are no less respectful of Easter than Orthodox Christians, as well as supporters of other faiths. This holiday has a special place in folk traditions.

And although the most comfortable family holiday is Christmas, Easter means the arrival of spring, the renewal of nature and, of course, the great feat of the Savior. Therefore, many Catholics try to attend the Easter service.

In addition, people tend to visit their loved ones, relatives and everyone who needs attention. Of course, true joy is born only when believers share it with each other. And on days like this, this truth only becomes more evident.

Catholics also adore Easter fairs, which are sure to take place in every city. There you can buy all kinds of decorations, sweets and the main symbol of the holiday - colorful painted eggs.

As far as prohibitions are concerned, it is considered bad form to host entertainment events, noisy parties, or attend any concerts on Good Friday. In some countries, private celebrations with loud music and fireworks are even fined.

Catholics are looking to clean up their homes ahead of Good Friday. The dwelling is decorated with garlands or fresh green branches decorated with Easter symbols.

In a word, everything is done so that on a bright day everyone can take a break from all their affairs and pay attention to their family. Believers necessarily participate in divine services on all Easter days, pray and read the Bible.

Summarize

1. According to the Gregorian calendar, Catholic Easter in 2020 will be celebrated on April 12th. And for the Orthodox - only a week later (on the 19th), since both churches use different calculation systems.
2. The traditions of celebrating the Resurrection of Christ among Catholics and Orthodox are almost identical. The main symbol of Easter is a colored egg.

Festive services are held in churches, after which a procession of the cross takes place.